The Executive Director of the Justice and Accountability Forum, Nana Bonsu, has opined that the interdicted headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), Zakaria Abdulai, deserves the death penalty if found guilty of the alleged sexual assaults against students.
He stated that the former headmaster was trusted and placed in a position of authority to protect, guide, and transform the lives of young people under his care, but chose to abuse his power.
Speaking on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Mr Bonsu indicated that for 19 students to accuse the school head of sexual assault constitutes a grave offence that requires a thorough investigation.
He asserted that sex offenders must not be pardoned, but rather handed the maximum penalty to serve as a deterrent to others.
According to him, sexual predators should not be allowed space to operate, especially when minors are involved.
“These are serious allegations against him, but if it is established that he indeed sexually abused the students, he must face the ultimate sanction. I believe he should be sentenced to death if proven guilty,” Mr Bonsu declared.
“It is deeply disturbing that someone in his position would engage in such conduct, if the claims are true. In one account I listened to, a victim recounted how she informed him she was on her period, yet he insisted on inappropriately touching her. Parents send their children to school expecting proper guidance, not for predators to prey on them,” he added.
Mr Bonsu further noted that it was ill-advised for the interdicted headmaster to attempt contesting in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) constituency elections. He stressed that while Mr Abdulai remains innocent until proven guilty, he had no business seeking political office amidst such serious allegations.
He urged stakeholders not to politicise the issue, warning that political interference risks undermining the severity of the case.
Meanwhile, the National Democratic Congress has distanced itself from the embattled headmaster, clarifying that the party does not condone misconduct.
The General Secretary of the NDC, Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey, affirmed that the party does not endorse the actions of the Obuasi Secondary Technical School headmaster regarding the allegations.
Addressing the media, Mr Kwetey stated that the party had earlier directed Mr Abdulai to step down from the internal contest, a directive he complied with.
He stressed that the NDC does not tolerate such acts and called on law enforcement agencies to conduct an independent investigation without interference, adding that the party wants the truth revealed to assure the public that neither the NDC nor the government will cover up wrongdoing.
He explained that initial public concerns regarding the party’s directives and references to the presumption of innocence were due to limited access to complete information at the time.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
